Skift Take
Communism meets co-living in Semkovo, where an entrepreneur wants to transform a hotel built for members of Bulgaria's former ruling party into a more modern hub for digital nomads and remote workers.
A dilapidated hotel originally built in the 1980s as a luxury hideaway for elite members of the Bulgarian Communist Party could soon be transformed into a co-living hub.
Entrepreneur Matthias Zeitler has a vision for the 200-unit property, nestled in the mountains in the village of Semkovo, more than two hours by car from capital Sofia. But first he needs to raise $6 million to fund its renovation.
He has launched a crowdfunding campaign, offering each of the apartments for about $30,000. The funds will be used to kickstart its refurbishment and create a "co-op" to manage the establishment. However the option to buy the building from its current owner expires in June.
Festival Tie-In
Investors have committed about $2 million so far, as the campaign has secured backing for almost 70 apartments. Zeitler is confident he’ll reach his target in the next couple of months.
He’s fortunate in that he can tap into an extensive network of digital nomads, as Zeitler also manages a co-workin